Photo of the day: Do Not Disturb

I travel a lot and I’ve seen (and used) my fair share of Do Not Disturb signs. Most hang from the doorknob, and some are inserted into the card key slot.

But who hasn’t experienced their shortcomings? Either they fall to the floor every time you open the door, or you aren’t given one at all, or someone across the hall steals yours for their door. It’s quite a customer experience problem.

At the Seaport Hotel in Boston, they’re working hard to solve this timeless inconvenience. Their solution is rather ingenious.

Press this button inside your room…

…and a light is illuminated outside your door

Now this is the same hotel whose unfoggable mirror I wrote about last year. It’s clear that they care about creating pleasurable experiences, and are using technology to bring them to life.

But how much electricity must this expend for the whole hotel? And can the lights burn out?

I've seen something like this on a cruise ship. Instead of a light it was a card that slid up and down. It worked quite well as no one could steal them, they didn't fall off, and they didn't use electricity. I actually walked all over the ship curious if the cards got bent or worn out somehow, but I couldn't find any evidence of that happening.